Despite Numerous Challenges, Another Record-Breaking Tourist Year

According to data from the eVisitor system, which records tourist traffic generated in commercial and non-commercial accommodation facilities as well as nautical charter traffic (eCrew system), Croatia recorded 17.5 million tourist arrivals and 90.5 million overnight stays from January through the end of August. Compared with the same period last year, this represents a 1% increase in both arrivals and overnight stays. Of this total, 86.7 million overnight stays were recorded along the Adriatic coast, an increase of 0.5% compared with last year, while the continental part of Croatia, including the city of Zagreb, recorded 3.8 million overnight stays, 1% more than in the same period last year.

According to eVisitor data, Croatia recorded more than 5 million tourist arrivals and 31.4 million overnight stays in August alone. Compared with August last year, this represents a 2% increase in arrivals and a 0.5% increase in overnight stays. It is important to highlight that, for the first time in history, Croatia recorded more than 5 million tourist arrivals in August. In August, the largest number of overnight stays was generated by visitors from Germany, Croatia, Slovenia, Poland, Austria, Italy, Hungary, the Czech Republic and other markets. By county, the highest number of overnight stays was recorded in Istria, Split-Dalmatia County and Kvarner, while the leading destinations were Rovinj, Vir, Poreč, Medulin, Umag and Dubrovnik.

“Croatian tourism is competitive, and this is reflected in all the key indicators. We have made every effort to achieve this. The first eight months of the year and the summer season have been truly outstanding, and despite numerous challenges, we have achieved growth across key indicators. It is particularly important that we achieved these results at a time when travel patterns are changing. We have consistently said that trips would become shorter and that visitors would manage their budgets more carefully, and the difference between the growth in arrivals and the somewhat more moderate growth in overnight stays confirms precisely these trends,” said Minister of Tourism and Sports Tonči Glavina, adding:

“Throughout the year, we closely monitored market developments, responded in a timely manner and directed our activities where they were needed most, while the tourism sector recognized this approach and made its full contribution through its own engagement. I would therefore like to thank the entire sector for its cooperation, commitment and readiness to respond to the challenges of this season, particularly when it comes to price competitiveness,” Glavina concluded.

Looking at tourism results by county, Istria recorded the highest number of overnight stays in the first eight months of the year, with 25.4 million, followed by Split-Dalmatia County with more than 17 million and Kvarner with 15.2 million overnight stays. By destination, the leading destinations were Rovinj, Dubrovnik, Poreč, Split, Umag and Medulin.

“The results achieved in the first eight months confirm that interest in Croatia remains very strong and that, as a destination, we have responded well to market challenges as well as to changes in traveller behaviour, with visitors today taking a much more considered approach to their travel decisions. Alongside the quality of Croatia’s tourism offering and the efforts of the entire tourism sector, I believe the continuity of our promotional activities also contributed to these results. Throughout the year, we have been highly active in key source markets through integrated digital and marketing campaigns, stronger use of social media, PR activities, and cooperation with airlines, tour operators and leading international platforms. An important part of the year is still ahead of us, and we are strongly focused on the shoulder season and the winter period. We want to maintain this positive momentum while continuing to work on the quality and competitiveness of Croatian tourism and on creating greater value from tourism,” said Kristjan Staničić, Director of the Croatian National Tourist Board.

By source market, visitors from Germany generated the highest number of overnight stays in the first eight months of the year, with 16.9 million, followed by Croatia with 11.7 million, Slovenia with 9.6 million, Austria with 6.3 million, Poland with 6.3 million, the Czech Republic with 4.5 million, Hungary with 3.7 million, Italy with 3.5 million, the United Kingdom with 3.2 million, and other markets.